Maine revolts against digital US id card

[buckthesystem]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20070126/pl_nm/usa_idcard_dc_1

Maine revolts against digital U.S. ID card By Jason Szep

Thu Jan 25, 8:27 PM ET

Maine lawmakers on Thursday became the first in the nation to demand repeal of a federal law tightening identification requirements for drivers' licenses, a post-September 11 security measure that states say will cost them billions of dollars to administer.

Maine lawmakers passed a resolution urging repeal of the Real ID Act, which would create a national digital identification system by 2008. The lawmakers said it would cost Maine about $185 million, fail to boost security and put people at greater risk of identity theft.

Maine's resolution is the strongest stand yet by a state against the law, which Congress passed in May 2004 and gave states three years to implement. Similar repeal measures are pending in eight other states.

"We cannot be spending millions of state dollars on an initiative that does more harm to our state than good," said Maine's House Majority leader Hannah Pingree, a Democrat, in a statement that called it a "massive unfunded federal mandate."

The ID act sets national standards for licenses which will have to include a digital photo, anti-counterfeiting features and machine-readable technology.

States will have to verify documents presented with license applications such as birth certificates, Social Security cards and utility bills, and will have to link their license databases so they can all be accessed as a single network.

States also will have to verify that a person applying for a license is in the country legally. States will be able to issue separate credentials to illegal aliens so that they will still be able to drive.

The National Governors Association, the National Conference of State Legislatures and the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators said in a September report that the law would cost states more than $11 billion over five years and take at least another seven years to implement.

"It's a national ID card on steroids," said Barry Steinhardt, director of the American Civil Liberties Union's Technology and Liberty Project. "This will indeed be a real nightmare.

(for rest of article go to link)

[Guest shiloh357]

When I first saw this thread, I clicked on it because I would haved sworn it said "Marnie revolts..." I still do an occasional doubletake to make sure my eyes are not playing tricks on me. You aren't revolting against anything... are you Marnie???

[carrielles]

UMMM I am glad that they are taking this step.....but I remember that the 9/11 terrorists came down thru canada into the US by way of MAine. I am from maine so this kind of stuff sticks into my brain. We might need to consider some type of border patrol if they arent going to be responsible with thier accountability.

[buckthesystem]

UMMM I am glad that they are taking this step.....but I remember that the 9/11 terrorists came down thru canada into the US by way of MAine. I am from maine so this kind of stuff sticks into my brain. We might need to consider some type of border patrol if they arent going to be responsible with thier accountability.

And just HOW would it have made a difference on 9.11.01 to the outcome of the Twin Towers if Main had embraced "Real ID" at the time?

Are you saying that the entire state of Maine should be "accountable" for the "war on terror", and they should pay for this with the privacy and dignity of every citizen in that state?

I think this is a case of "those who are willing to give up freedom for a little (perceived) security deserve and get neither" (paraphrased). Personally I would rather die as a free person than live as a slave.

[buckthesystem]

When I first saw this thread, I clicked on it because I would haved sworn it said "Marnie revolts..." I still do an occasional doubletake to make sure my eyes are not playing tricks on me. You aren't revolting against anything... are you Marnie???

Great how we see a word for what it "appears" to say rather than what it does say. Perhaps it makes things far more interesting than what they are.

This is neat. Brings to mind images of Marnie on a white horse riding throughout the country "recruiting for the cause" (just like Paul Revere, in "them days") leading the revolt against "real ID". (This view could really take off).

[ted]

When I first saw this thread, I clicked on it because I would haved sworn it said "Marnie revolts..." I still do an occasional doubletake to make sure my eyes are not playing tricks on me. You aren't revolting against anything... are you Marnie???

Great how we see a word for what it "appears" to say rather than what it does say. Perhaps it makes things far more interesting than what they are.

This is neat. Brings to mind images of Marnie on a white horse riding throughout the country "recruiting for the cause" (just like Paul Revere, in "them days") leading the revolt against "real ID". (This view could really take off).

Long live Queen Marnie!

t.

[Burning_Ember]

"Sire! The citizens are revolting!"

"Yes I know, they are QUITE repulsive, aren't they?"

[buckthesystem]

"Sire! The citizens are revolting!"

"Yes I know, they are QUITE repulsive, aren't they?"

Are you saying that Marnie is repulsive?

[Burning_Ember]

"Sire! The citizens are revolting!"

"Yes I know, they are QUITE repulsive, aren't they?"

Are you saying that Marnie is repulsive?

No, it was just an old joke from Monty Python, I believe.

[buckthesystem]

"Sire! The citizens are revolting!"

"Yes I know, they are QUITE repulsive, aren't they?"

Are you saying that Marnie is repulsive?

No, it was just an old joke from Monty Python, I believe.

I guess I am the one who owes you an apology. I actually knew that, I was just being facetious. Sorry!